Tony Romo could become a free agent next year if the Dallas Cowboys don’t complete a contract extension with him, NFL.com reported.

The revelation stems from an apparent loophole in Romo’s contract that wouldn’t allow the Cowboys to apply the franchise tag on Romo in February 2014.

The Cowboys are under pressure to complete a contract extension with Tony Romo soon. (AP Photo)

The report said the Cowboys can’t place the tag on Romo if they are unable to reach a contract agreement with him by the end of the 2013 league year (March 2014). Without the ability to issue the tag, the Cowboys would not be able to prevent Romo from reaching the free-agent market.

As a result, the Cowboys are under pressure to get the deal done soon.

The report explained that Romo technically has three years left in his agreement, but “the final two years of Romo’s contract void with no action necessary from either party if he’s on the Cowboys’ roster by the end of the 2013 league year.”

At that point, the Cowboys wouldn’t be able to place the tag on him because the two-week franchise window in February 2014 would have already been closed.

Romo has a $16.8 million salary cap number for 2013, which is another reason the Cowboys need to complete an extension.